Ellerson cracks whip on sleepwalking Knights

Ellerson didn't like his team's body language about eight minutes into the second half of practice Tuesday.

Players had just returned from a 10-minute "halftime" and Ellerson expected more.

The team wrapped up a short scrimmage and started heading to the Foley Athletic Center for their next drill.

Ellerson blew a whistle, calling back his players —.to repeat the eight minutes of stretching and scrimmaging.

"It was just a teaching moment," Ellerson said. "Every moment out here is precious."

The Black Knights received a lesson in time management. This is the first regular season during the Ellerson era that Army will practice from 6:50-8:30 a.m.

"We don't have the luxury that we had this morning of stopping and saying we'll just erase that time off the clock and go back to work," Ellerson said. "We have to be especially good at time management."

Ellerson's message was heard. Army practiced crisper in its second run.

"We came out and started the second half of practice pretty slow," said QB Trent Steelman. "It's our job as seniors to pick that up."

Steelman finished practice strong. He zipped a pass to Raymond Maples down the middle and connected with Ejay Tucker on a 30-yard throw into double coverage.

Closing practice, Malcolm Brown, a senior wide receiver who was converted from running back, made a nice adjustment in mid-air on a ball, which was thrown slightly behind him.

"We are thinking that we are really smart from getting Malcolm outside," Ellerson said. "That makes a difference. It's the healthiest he's been in years. By moving him out there, we are giving him a chance to stay healthy."